The North American auto industry is booming and Windsor isn't cashing in — and likely won't, according to one industry expert.

Tony Faria, co-director of the Office of Automotive Research at the University of Windsor, said local factories simply aren't in a position to take advantage of the boom.

Chrysler has one plant left in Windsor, and it is at capacity. Windsor Assembly Plant ran three shifts and churned out 350,000 Chrysler minivans last year, up from 192,000 in 2009.

Ford is also running three shifts at its Essex Engine Plant, but has no other presence in the city.

General Motors no longer has a facility in Windsor.

General Motors no longer has a facility in Windsor. (File Photo)

None of the three Detroit companies promised new facilities or increased production in Windsor during contract negotiations last year.

"We are such a small part of it here that we really don't see that rebound the way we would've many years ago, when we had two Chrysler plants in Windsor; when we had Ford assembly taking place in Windsor; and when we had General Motors assembly taking place in Windsor," Faria said.

Faria said North American auto production is up for the third consecutive year.

By 2014, analysts say North American auto production could reach 17.5 million units, which is approaching the all-time record of 17.6 million set in 2000.

"Windsor has lost a good chunk of the North American auto industry. Clearly, at one time we were undoubtedly the auto capital of Canada," Faria said. "It's extremely questionable whether we are that today."

New assembly capacity has been added around the world, including the southern U.S. and Mexico.

"While we do offer a number of good points — we have an educated workforce; we have a productive workforce; and reasonable taxes — but all of those good points ... are matched throughout North America," Faria said. "They are not unique to us in any way, shape or form."

The U.S. has advantages, namely sales — 80 per cent of North American auto sales happens in the U.S.

"If you want to build your product where the sales are, the U.S. is a better bet than Canada," Faria said.

Parts suppliers could cash in

Local parts suppliers, though, have room to grow.

"They are searching really hard for plants outside the Windsor Assembly Plant to supply," Faria said. "There are Windsor parts makers, tool, die and mould makers who have room to grow."

Faria said Windsor didn't "hold on to what we had."

"All along the way we needed to work hard at hanging on to what we had," Faria said.

Faria said it's still wise for a city to diversify its economy.

"It means our economy is less volatile ... because we are less invested in the auto industry," he said. "We are now better able to ride out a downturn."